Credit: Chris O’Donovan
London Season 2015 - 2016
London Season
November 2015 - April 2016
2015
2016
Saturday 7th November, 2:00pm
Thursday 28th January, 8:00pm Kings Place (London A Cappella Festival) Tenebrae Consort Sun, Moon, Sea and Stars: Music of Bob Chilcott
Welcome
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St James’s Church, Spanish Place Series
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Cadogan Hall Series
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St Martin-in-the-Fields Workshop: Brahms and Bruckner Motets
Kings Place Series
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Thursday 12th November, 7:45pm
Workshops
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Support
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Contact
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St James’s Church, Spanish Place Brahms and Bruckner Motets
Sunday 29th November, 6:00pm Cadogan Hall with the English Chamber Orchestra Grace Davidson, Sarah Connolly, Andrew Staples, David Soar Messiah
Friday 11 December, 7:30pm th
For more information about these events and concerts outside of London, please visit www.tenebrae-choir.com @TenebraeChoir /TenebraeChoir
Kings Place A Very English Christmas
Thursday 11th February, 7:30pm Cadogan Hall (Choral at Cadogan) Le Choeur Chant du Coeur
Thursday 7th April, 10:00am St Martin-in-the-Fields Workshop: Music of Alexander L’Estrange
Thursday 7th April, 7:45pm St James’s Church, Spanish Place On Eagles’ Wings: Music of Alexander L’Estrange
“
For purity and precision of tone, and flawless intonation, Nigel Short’s chamber choir Tenebrae is pretty much unbeatable. - The Times
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I am delighted to present Tenebrae’s 2015 - 2016 London concert season, full of exciting collaborations and performances in a variety of settings across our home city.
Credit: Chris O’Donovan
Firstly, our St James’s Church, Spanish Place series marks the launch of two new recordings with Signum Classics: Brahms and Bruckner Motets (12th November 2015), the profits from the sale of the album will benefit Macmillan Cancer Support to aid its incredible work, and On Eagles’ Wings (7th April 2015), sacred works by one of Britain’s most popular living choral composers Alexander L’Estrange. We are particularly looking forward to celebrating Alexander’s birthday on the day of the concert! Our Kings Place series marks the release of another two recordings, this time under our own label, Bene Arte. On 11th December 2015 we will present our new programme of Christmas music by English choral composers, A Very English Christmas. We are also delighted to be invited to perform at the London A Cappella Festival on 28th January 2016, where we will launch our new disc of works and arrangements by my former King’s Singers colleague, Bob Chilcott. This in turn marks the start of our choral development partnership with the London Youth Choir who will be joining us for the concert.
We are proud to be performing two Cadogan Hall concerts: an unmissable Messiah with the English Chamber Orchestra on 29th November 2015 alongside a team of stellar soloists including Grace Davidson, Andrew Staples, David Soar and, Tenebrae Patron, Sarah Connolly. Lastly, we return to the fantastic Choral at Cadogan series on 11th February 2016 presenting a new programme of French choral music, Le Choeur Chant du Coeur, which culminates with Francis Poulenc’s masterpiece ‘Figure Humaine’ - a supreme test of vocal stamina, range and agility, not to mention musicianship, which is not to be missed. We look forward to seeing you soon! With best wishes
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St James’s Roman Catholic Church, Spanish Place 22 George Street, London, W1U 3QY
St James’s Church ranks as one of the most beautiful churches in London, with a unique and striking acoustic. Join Tenebrae at St James’s this season for two special launch concerts of the choir’s new recordings, Brahms and Bruckner Motets and On Eagles’ Wings.
Credit: James Turner
Thursday 12th November 2015, 7:45pm
#FocusOnLocus
Programme: Brahms and Bruckner Motets
The first of several special CD launch concerts of the season, Tenebrae presents its new programme of Brahms and Bruckner Motets to mark the launch of the choir’s new album on Signum Records by the same name. Seamlessly entwining old and new with notable musical influences from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, these motets endure as masterpieces of the sacred style in the nineteenth century. As part of this concert, Tenebrae is delighted to be welcoming one talented amateur choir to collaborate with them for the performance, in celebration of the exceptional choral talent currently active in the UK. Profits from the sale of the CD go to Macmillan Cancer Support to aid its vital work.
Programme to include: Johannes Brahms • Drei motetten Johannes Brahms • How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings Fair Johannes Brahms • Geistliches Lied Anton Bruckner • Locus Iste Anton Bruckner • Christus Factus Est Tenebrae Nigel Short • Conductor
Tickets: £40*, £25, £15, £5 available from the Barbican Centre Box Office *VIP tickets include a signed copy of the CD
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Box Office Information
Venue Information
Online: www.barbican.org.uk Phone: 020 7628 8891 Email: tickets@barbican.org.uk
Fully wheelchair accessible. If you require a wheelchair space, please contact info@tenebrae-choir.com.
Booking fee of £4 per transaction for telephone bookings and £3 per transaction for online bookings.
Thursday 7th April 2016, 7:45pm
#OnEaglesWings
Programme: On Eagles’ Wings
On Eagles’ Wings is a magnificent selection of sacred works by one of Britain’s most popular living choral composers, Alexander L’Estrange. Noted for the stylistic diversity and musical excellence of his compositions, L’Estrange has been billed as “the perfect 21st century musician” (Howard Goodall CBE). Tenebrae is delighted to be joined by Alexander for this special concert in celebration of the release of a new CD of his music.
Tenebrae Nigel Short • Conductor Alexander L’Estrange • Composer To make the most of the day, head to St Martin-in-the-Fields for an inspiring morning workshop with Tenebrae’s singers and Artistic Director, Nigel Short, prior to the concert (see page 10 for more details).
Tickets: £40*, £25, £15, £5 available from the Barbican Box Office Day Pass including workshop and concert: £30 for adults, £24 for 25 and under / full time students *VIP tickets include a signed copy of the CD
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Credit: Alex MacNaughton
Cadogan Hall
5 Sloane Terrace, London, SW1X 9DG Cadogan Hall is one of London’s leading concert venues, situated in the heart of Chelsea. The Hall’s excellent acoustic and luxurious surroundings make it the perfect setting for Tenebrae’s annual Messiah performance with the English Chamber Orchestra, which opens the festive season on Advent Sunday. Tenebrae return again in February as part of the prestigious Choral at Cadogan series.
Credit: Ben McKee
Sunday 29th November 2015, 6:00pm
#CanYouHANDELit
Programme: Handel’s Messiah
At the premiere of Handel’s Messiah in 1742, ladies of the audience were asked to wear dresses “without Hoops” to make space for as large an audience as possible. The enduring popularity of Handel’s majestic work remains unabated, making it a staple of the festive period. Kick-start your yuletide preparations by joining Tenebrae, the English Chamber Orchestra and a team of stellar soloists for the unmissable Messiah of the season. Tickets: £35, £20, £10 available from the Cadogan Hall Box Office Premium tickets at £55 (2 for £100) with access to an exclusive interval reception
Tenebrae English Chamber Orchestra Nigel Short • Conductor Grace Davidson • Soprano Sarah Connolly • Mezzo soprano Andrew Staples • Tenor David Soar • Bass Purchase premium tickets to meet members of the choir and orchestra whilst enjoying an interval reception with festive refreshments.
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Box Office Information
Venue Information
Online: www.cadoganhall.com Phone*: 020 7730 4500
Fully accessible apart from the Gallery, which is accessed via a flight of steps. Four wheelchair spaces are available in the stalls.
*Monday to Saturday 10am - 6pm and Sunday 12pm - 8pm on performance days)
The auditorium is fitted with an infra-red amplification system for those with hearing requirements. Guide dogs are welcome to access the auditorium but please inform Cadogan Hall prior to arrival.
Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Cadogan Hall box office (times as above). Phone and web bookings are subject to a £3 booking fee.
Credit: Ben McKee
Thursday 11th February 2016, 7:30pm
#FigureHumaine
Programme: Le Choeur Chant du Coeur Part of Choral at Cadogan
As part of the Choral at Cadogan series, Tenebrae presents a programme of exceptional French choral music of penance and praise from the 12th to the 20th centuries, including a rare performance of Francis Poulenc’s extraordinary ‘Figure Humaine’. In 8 short movements Poulenc sets Paul Eluard poems, which were secretly circulated during the occupation of France in World War Two, to music becoming a moving tribute to the human spirit and those directly involved in the Resistance. Tickets: £31, £27, £23, £19 available from the Cadogan Hall Box Office Choral at Cadogan series discounts available, Cadogan Hall ENCORE members pay £27 for top price tickets
Programme to include: Pérotin • Viderunt Omnes Antoine Brumel • Lamentations Francis Poulenc • Quatre motets pour un temps de pénitence Olivier Messiaen • O sacrum convivum Francis Poulenc • Salve Regina Maurice Duruflé • Quatre motets sur des themes Gregoriens Déodat de Séverac • Tantum ergo Francis Poulenc • Figure Humaine Tenebrae Nigel Short • Conductor
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Credit: Nick White
Hall One, Kings Place
90 York Way, London, N1 9AG Situated in an award-winning building in Kings Cross, Kings Place is a hub for music, art and dialogue, which has established itself as one of Europe’s leading cultural landmarks. Join Tenebrae for a festive celebration of English composers in December and chase away the January blues with the launch concert of the choir’s new Bob Chilcott CD as part of the London A Cappella Festival.
Friday 11th December 2015, 7:30pm
#EnglishChristmas
Programme: A Very English Christmas
Celebrate the festive season with A Very English Christmas, Tenebrae’s new programme of Christmas music by English choral composers. Revel in the yuletide spirit with this wonderful collection of repertoire that provides a musical breath of fresh air this Christmas, heralding the extraordinary talents of some of the most dedicated and less well-known individuals from English choral music alongside traditional carols and heart-warming festive favourites.
Tickets: £9.50 - £39.50 available from the Kings Place Box Office
Programme to include: Jonathan Rathbone • The Oxen William Byrd • O Magnum Mysterium Philip Ledger • Adam Lay Ybounden Peter Warlock • I Saw A Fair Maiden arr. Simon Preston • I Saw Three Ships Alexander L’Estrange • Hodie arr. Ian Humphris • The Twelve Days of Christmas Tenebrae Nigel Short • Conductor Don’t miss the free pre-concert talk at 6:45pm, when Alexander L’Estrange will interview Nigel Short about the repertoire for this new programme.
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Box Office Information
Credit: John Bellars
Venue Information
Online: www.kingsplace.co.uk Phone: 020 7520 1490
King’s Place is fully accessible for wheelchair users. Please advise the box office of your requirements when booking.
Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Kings Place box office. Tickets booked via the box office by phone or in person are subject to a £2 booking fee.
An infrared system for hearing-aid users is available in Hall One.
A separate ticket is required for the pre-concert talks. Please call the box office for further details.
Thursday 28th January 2016, 8:00pm
#LACF2016
Programme: Sun, Moon, Sea and Stars Part of the London A Cappella Festival
Described as “a contemporary hero of British choral music” (The Observer), Bob Chilcott is one of todays’ most influential and celebrated British choral composers. Tenebrae Consort is delighted to present a superb collection of Chilcott’s original works and arrangements opening the London A Cappella Festival by exploring the richest of styles, scorings and moods. Enter this world of choral song though the ages in all its guises, and be enchanted.
Tenebrae Consort Nigel Short • Conductor Bob Chilcott • Composer Featuring the London Youth Choir A pre-concert talk from 7:15pm will offer the opportunity to discuss the programme with Bob Chilcott and Nigel Short.
The performance will feature Tenebrae’s choral development partners, the London Youth Choir.
Tickets: £9.50 - £39.50 available from the Kings Place Box Office
Admission is also available through the London A Cappella Festival’s popular Festival Passes
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Workshops The Tenebrae Effect
Inspiring through Passion and Precision Would you like to find out what it takes to be a Tenebrae singer? Join Tenebrae for two engaging and informative choral workshops, led by Tenebrae’s Artistic Director, Nigel Short. Tenebrae’s inspirational workshop method, ‘The Tenebrae Effect’, provides an insight into the elements that make Tenebrae’s sound and interpretation to music so unique. Workshop participants are instilled with skills essential to a Tenebrae performance through sessions designed to challenge and advance every participant. Exploring musicianship, breathing and the importance of leadership and communication, these workshops provide singers with the opportunity to develop and refine their skills. This makes for an inspiring experience for any singer. We advise that most value is brought to performers with prior experience in choral singing who wish to improve within smaller, focused groups. To obtain the most from the afternoon, participants should either be familiar with the scores or be comfortable sight readers.
Saturday 7th November 2015 2:00pm - 5:00pm St Martin’s Hall, St Martin-in-the-Fields Music of Brahms and Bruckner This ticket includes a £5 discount to Tenebrae’s Brahms and Bruckner Motets CD launch concert on Thursday 12th November, 7:45pm, St James’s Church, Spanish Place (see page 4). Tickets: £20 adults, £14 25 years and under / full time students (minimum age 16)
Credit: Ben McKee
Thursday 7th April 2016 10:00am - 2:00pm St Martin’s Hall, St Martin-in-the-Fields Music of Alexander L’Estrange
Booking Online: www.barbican.org.uk Phone: 020 7628 8891 Email: tickets@barbican.org.uk
For more information Email: info@tenebrae-choir.com
Day Pass concert: Thursday 7th April, 7:45pm, St James’s Church, Spanish Place (see page 5). This workshop is kindly supported by Faber Music. Tickets: £20 adults, £14 25 years and under / full time students. Day pass (including a concert ticket worth £15): £30 adults, £24 concessions
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Support
Individual Giving
Our donors and sponsors play a vital role in the choir’s development. Since its formation in 2001, Tenebrae’s achievements have only been made possible by the generosity of supporters who believe in our innovative work. We are continuously grateful for their support.
You, too, can play an essential role in supporting Tenebrae’s world-leading choral programme and education initiatives through our individual giving scheme. From as little at £10 per month, your contribution can help to support exceptional young professional singers through our Associate Artists programme alongside building core audiences across the UK and internationally through concerts, tours and recordings.
To find out more about how your support can make a difference, please contact Henry Southern (General Manager) via email at henry@tenebrae-choir.com or visit www.tenebrae-choir.com/support Thank you in advance for your support.
Credit: Ben McKee
We are always delighted to engage with our supporters. This scheme allows you to enjoy a closer relationship with Tenebrae, helping to maintain the choir’s annual programme of work whilst offering you access to exclusive benefits and opportunities including advanced ticket sales, complimentary programmes, invitations to concerts and receptions, as well as public acknowledgement of your generous support.
Corporate Club Tenebrae is proud of its corporate partnership programme, the Corporate Club, which allows businesses to gain from mutually beneficial long-term relationships with the choir. Whether your company operates regionally, nationally or internationally, we endeavour to create a bespoke package of benefits and recognition opportunities to further your organisation’s core values and aims, whilst allowing you to play a vital role in Tenebrae’s artistic and educational activities.
Credit: Nick White
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Credit: Chris O’Donovan
Contact www.tenebrae-choir.com
With thanks to
Trustees
Specialised Travel Ltd
Sir Roger Gifford (chair) Elizabeth Andrews Andrew Halstead Jonathan Lane Nicola Oppenheimer Ian Ritchie Richard Savage James Turnbull
12-15 Hanger Green, London, W5 3EL
info@tenebrae-choir.com
@TenebraeChoir
020 3384 0368
/TenebraeChoir
Choral music doesn’t get more magnificent than this - Classic FM
Honorary Patrons Richard Baker James Bowman CBE Simon Carrington Sarah Connolly CBE Heather de Haes OAM Lady Valerie Solti
Registered charity no: 1142138